Driving from NY to WA, which route to take?

Derpan

Well, yeah, driving from NY to WA late December. I figure the safest bet is to take a southern route.

http://tinyurl.com/5gdskl

It is about 250 more miles than taking I-94, but a lot further south.

Would I be justified in doing this? My car is a piece of shit with no snow tires as well. It just seems like there would be less snow and whatnot, but I might just be an idiot.

bowen

I hear cutting through Canada saves a butt fucking load of time (like 3-4 hours) when you're heading that way from a traffic standpoint (adds miles though). Not sure what that means and I could be completely fucking wrong.

Make sure to bring a GPS with you and/or some current road maps. Trust me on that one.

wasted pixels

It looks like Chicago is as far south as you'll be making it, and I PROMISE you that upstate IL will be having a white Christmas. Cutting south won't really help you avoid snow, and it'll probably result in a lot more mountain driving when you head north at the end. And let's be frank, Wyoming isn't exactly renowned for their clean roads, snowbound states make keeping the interstate clean a priority.

So you're not being an idiot, it's just a kind of counter-intuitive thing.

mts

i would take 80 the entire way. its pretty much 4 lanes the entire way especially through places you might encounter snow. the only issue may be around salt lake

when you get closer to the west you can either take it to the 5 or cut the corner. be aware you might need to pick up snow chains, at least in CA you get restrictions that make them required for any non 4WD/AWD

i took 80 out here and it took us 3.5 days of 12 hour driving days to get to norcal from NJ

Derpan

Ive been driving in winter conditions my entire life. I know when to take it slow and whatnot. I just dont want to crash the car, as it will be full of all my precious belongings. I mean, seriously if it is a blizzard I am going to just get a hotel, but I would rather not waste the money waiting ;3

It isnt that much further south, blargh. Just as confused as ever.

mts

I would stick with the route you listed, but be prepared for road closures/change of routes at the end going through montana.

are you driving your own car or doing a rental truck? its one thing to be comfortable in your own car, but most rental trucks drive like shit.

80 is a huge highway and will likely be relatively clear of snow in the areas you will encounter them. and any snow yo udo encounter will be nothing compare to albany.

don't fret it

Derpan

It is my own car. 89 Camry, put new tires on it, new belts, oil change, getting it checked out as well. Ive driven it 30k since I got the thing ( for free ) without issue, 2900 seems like a big dent all at once.

I dont own many BIG things, just lots of smaller, nice things, computers, shoes, girlfriend.

bowen

Yeah if you can drive in Upstate NY's snow you can drive anywhere.

You'll probably be the only person able to drive on 1 " of snow right out of state. Everyone else will pull over or be in the ditch.

But please bring a map, your car has excellent mileage to boot, so no problems there. You might also consider getting one of these just in case. X-country driving can be sketchy at best sometimes if you're like "oh I got another 100 miles on this tank" and you really don't. Get some AAA coverage for free towing in case you break down and you might just be all set at this point.

Make sure to drive your car around 100 miles or so to make sure all that new shit you got in is going to last and not tear as soon as you break out on the road.

I like to prepare for absolute worst case scenarios as you can tell.

MichaelLC

I vote for Route 80 as well.

I'd keep as simple as possible, less chance on getting lost in some god-forsaken state (anything not Chicago).

Car sounds like it's in good shape. Obviously bring some tools and a few spare parts.

locomotiveman

As far as driving in NY have you considered swinging down through Binghamton and then across on I86 / Rt 17? This route is kept just as clear as the thruway is not tolled, and has the advantage of less lake effect snow. It does however add about 100 miles to your trip.

Thanatos

When you say "winter conditions," are you talking about Spokane, or the Northeast/Midwest?

Because "winter conditions" in Spokane are a different beast entirely from "winter conditions" in the Northeast and Midwest. When I was going to school in Rochester, we had a mock trial team fly out from Spokane, I warned them about the weather, and they said "oh, we're from Eastern Washington, we have winter." Then, when they showed up, their reaction was "what the fuck is this shit?!"

I wouldn't make that drive without snow tires in late December. No way in hell. It's basically a deathwish, especially in a vehicle without all-wheel drive.

bowen

And Rochester isn't even that bad in terms of what the fucks.

Being from Albany I'm sure he's used to it though, but our roads (Upstate NY) tend to be a little bit better plowed, but one one inch of snow is on their roads everyone freaks the fuck out and dies and stays inside.

So yeah. A good all season tire is fine, but a snow tire might be better.

Thanatos

Jesus, I totally read that as going the other direction (WA to NY). I'm retarded.

bowen

Thanatos wrote: »

Jesus, I totally read that as going the other direction (WA to NY). I'm retarded.

I think we can both appreciate how awful the weather is here though. I remember they used to put chains on tires 20 or so years ago. I think they only allow that in Alaska now.

Fats

Chain requirements still exist in the western states, though enforcement is entirely discretionary. I would carry a set. I'd also frequently check road conditions, you don't want to be stuck in the middle of nowhere because they closed the road.

Remember, even if your mad winter skillzz allow you to drive on ice like it wasn't there, you'll be making the trip with hundreds of loaded semis on a tight schedule.

bowen

You speak gospel.

If you see a truck barreling down the road at you, better hope it's not icy out.

Thanatos

bowen wrote: »

Thanatos wrote: »

Jesus, I totally read that as going the other direction (WA to NY). I'm retarded.

I think we can both appreciate how awful the weather is here though. I remember they used to put chains on tires 20 or so years ago. I think they only allow that in Alaska now.

California, Nevada, and Oregon all require them at times.

I know they've never heard of them on the East Coast.

Derpan

Yeah, have done about four winters in Spokane with no snow tires, and I lived on a giant hill. I tend to just be more worried about OTHER drivers, as I know fuck well to go slowly and pay attention during white out and icy conditions.

I might get tires siped but nothing too major in terms of winter road traction.